“We are Africans not because we were born in Africa but because Africa is born in us.”
Meet Phil & Rachel
Phil is a third-generation Kenyan who spent much of his childhood and most of his adult life in the African bush.
He has been designing safaris for over 25 years and is widely considered one of Africa’s most respected private safari guides. He has planned and guided trips for the world’s most sophisticated travelers, collaborated on a number of wildlife documentaries and series, consulted for Bear Grylls, and wrote the syllabus for Kenya’s silver level guides.
Phil brings an extensive and unparalleled firsthand knowledge of ecosystems and wildlife movements that sets us apart from other safari operators. He understands what makes an area productive for wildlife viewing, when to go, and how to craft an itinerary to build to certain experiences, not unlike a maestro conducts a symphony.
It is this deep and well-rounded understanding of the safari industry, not only as a guide but as a former camp manager too, that Phil West Safaris brings to every safari we plan. Every property has been handpicked and personally vetted by someone who truly understands what it takes to make a safari great.
It truly is an art, born from having dedicated one’s life to the safari world.
In 2010, Phil met Rachel on a safari. He was her safari guide and apparently she still has a nasty case of “khaki fever.”
Today, ten years, three children, and two cross continent moves later, they work together to share their passion for safaris, providing the perfect balance of personal attention and expert knowledge for each and every guest.
Phil and Rachel relocated from their home in Kenya to Jupiter, Florida in 2018 with their children Jackson and Tyler. Baby Maya joined the family in 2019. All of the photos used on this website were taken by Phil, who is also a very talented wildlife photographer.
Meet Shannon Everard
Shannon has spent a decade in the safari world, started working with Rachel and Phil in 2020, and brings a deep understanding of Eastern and Southern Africa. She has lived in Cape Town and, like Rachel, is married to a Kenyan. She has traveled extensively throughout Africa and provides exceptional attention to detail and personalized service.
The Phil West Safaris Team is committed to ensuring that their guests are in the right places at the right times – whether that be the right country and game reserve for the right time of year or the right positioning for that perfect photo. They realize that safaris, when organized skillfully and executed accordingly, can and should be life-changing experiences, bringing people closer to the natural world – and also closer to each other.
We were recently honored to be featured in Jupiter Magazine. You can read the story here.
